Dovuto Hanover charged home in midstretch to nail McArdles Lightning on the wire and take the featured $25,000 Open Handicap Pace by a head Saturday night (April 9) at The Meadowlands. Bushwacker was third.

Yonkers shipper Always At My Place displayed good early speed and led through fractions of :27.1, :54.3 and 1:22.1. As McArdles Lightning came alongside the leader at the head of the stretch, driver Scott Zeron put Dovuto Hanover in striking position just behind the duelling leaders.

McArdles Lightning got past Always At My Place in deep stretch only to get caught at the finish by Dovuto Hanover, who paid $17.80 to win in taking his second straight. The winning time was 1:50.3 for the six-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again, who crept closer to the half-million dollar lifetime earnings plateau -- his bank account now over $488,000 for trainer Richard 'Nifty' Norman and owner Martin Scharf.

The race marked the seasonal debut for $2 million earner -- and 2014 North America Cup winner -- JK Endofanera. As the even-money favourite, he finished last in the field of seven.

All-source wagering on the 12-race card totalled $2,728,678, representing an increase of $118,607 over the corresponding program from a year ago, which had 13 races.

The 12th race 20-cent Jackpot Super High Five was not hit, upping the carryover to $174,174.88.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)